I have noticed recent letters in the newspapers and political statements complimenting EvergreenHealth Medical Center. My recent trip to the emergency room and overnight stay at Evergreen do not support the glowing comments by its supporters.

I was parked in the emergency room with no medical emergency for about four hours with the explanation that a room was unavailable. However, when I was wheeled to a room, there were several empty rooms along the corridor.

I was the only occupant in my semi-private room. Because my bed was uncomfortable, I was awake all night and watched television. During the night, I listened to a man down the hall loudly begging for hours for someone to help him.

My displeasure with Evergreen increased when I received their $16,331 bill. I was at Evergreen less than 20 hours and was charged $6,557 for rooms.

For medical services, I compared Evergreen charges with those of the University of Washington Medical Center where I am monitored quarterly for a disease. Two examples stand out: An EKG at Evergreen cost $320, but at UW Medical, $208; and laboratory for mostly identical blood tests at Evergreen cost $1,746, but at UW Medical $385.

I departed Evergreen with another unwelcome surprise. Two days after leaving, I had a bloody urinary discharge from a bladder infection that required a visit to an urologist, and a $250 bill for antibiotics. This episode confirms advice from a friend and my long-held belief that it is better to drive around the north end of Lake Washington for medical treatment in Seattle.

Edward Bell, Kirkland